Smoke dissipates over the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History in Washington on Feb. 7, 2011, after a fire in a detached building containing the museum's cooling tower. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

(Newser)
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Bad news for museum lovers: Budget cuts from Congress will soon reduce the number of free exhibitions on view each day at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington. Smithsonian Secretary Wayne Clough is telling Congress today that the museum complex must reduce its security contract for gallery attendants because of the budget cuts, according to written testimony. As a result, the Smithsonian plans to begin rolling gallery closures after May 1.

Clough says the Smithsonian also will likely have to postpone or cancel exhibits for 2014 and 2015. The Smithsonian has been working to keep its museums open. It had to reduce its budget by at least $41 million because of across-the-board cuts imposed by Congress. Separately, the National Archives saw a nearly $20 million cut and has already reduced its operating hours.

All these furloughs and park closures, etc. are BS, because the CBO says the federal govt. will spend hundreds of billions more in 2013 than in 2012...even with the sequester! Does anyone remember any closures or furloughs in 2012? I didn't think so!

milo7453

Apr 16, 2013 10:47 PM CDT

679 Govt. agencies have overlapping oversight. Why isn't the federal Govt. starting the cuts there? I'm still waiting for obama to take a scapel to the federal budget...I know, I'll be waiting until hell freezes over!

ppaca

Apr 16, 2013 10:13 PM CDT

More of 0bama's Sequestration consequences. The strange thing is, there were actually NO budget cuts, only reductions in its huge increases. Why are these budget amounts being cut? Is it an evil ploy by the 0bama administration to piss off the American public and blame it on the GOP? 0bama will do anything and everything to screw Americans to gain his own political advantage. What a creep!!!